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COVID Symptoms That Doctors Are Seeing Right Now

According to specialists, there are six COVID symptoms you're probably unaware of.

By Prasad Madusanka HerathPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Even if you've been fortunate enough to avoid COVID, you're probably aware of the symptoms to watch for: headache, shortness of breath, exhaustion, fever, body pains, cough, chills, muscular aches, and sore throat. The virus, on the other hand, can produce a wide range of symptoms that you would not expect. "This is a respiratory virus that may infect a variety of cells throughout the human body," explains Dr. Javeed Siddiqui, MD/MPH, TeleMed2U's Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer.

Because this virus has the ability to produce a wide range of symptoms, it's likely that some people will suffer 'atypical symptoms.' "This is a pretty uncommon virus," says the researcher. This is what you should eat, not that! Doctors spoke with Health about these unusual symptoms and why they occur in some people but not others. Continue reading—and don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID to protect your health and the health of others.

A Change in Tone

"Change in voice (usually hoarseness) has been documented and is considered secondary to the SARS-CoV-2 virus impacting the neurons that feed the vocal cords," explains Dr. Nicole Bundy, Medical Director at Mymee and a board-certified, Yale-trained rheumatologist.

Dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System

Dr. Bundy claims that "This can cause heart palpitations (a considerable increase in heart rate after modest activity), orthostatic intolerance (dizziness or faintness upon rising from a seated posture), and unexplained fever, to name a few symptoms. These symptoms are hypothesized to be produced by the body's immune system being stimulated by SARS-CoV-2, which disrupts the autonomic nerve system. Some research has connected autoantibodies (antibodies that target the body's own tissues) to autonomic dysfunction in non-COVID infectious and non-infectious disorders."

GI Complaints

According to Dr. Siddiqui, some COVID patients have reported stomach problems. "Because SARS-CoV-2 utilizes the ACE-2 receptor, it might produce gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea."

Changes in the Skin

According to Dr. Siddiqui, "Individuals with mild to moderate infection may see skin changes such as a flat, red rash with tiny pimples, darkening of the fingers and toes, and widespread or localized hives. The frequency of discolouration of the toes is higher in children and young adults."

Confusion

CoVID-19, unlike most respiratory viruses, has been linked to long-term disorientation, according to Dr. Siddiqui. "Many people believe it's because of hypoxia, although individuals with mild to severe illnesses have also experienced long-term bewilderment. COVID-19 is a coronavirus, hence it's possible that these viruses cause conjunctivitis. Despite the fact that conjunctivitis is not uncommon with coronaviruses, the emergence of conjunctivitis with COVID-19 has prompted the general public to see it as an unusual symptom that can be linked to extended light sensitivity."

Tinnitus is a type of ringing in the ears (Ringing in the Ears)

"Our immune systems are so diverse and complicated, and when coupled with our own unique underlying diseases, COVID appears to'stir the pot' and bring out these 'new' and uncommon symptoms in individuals throughout the community," says Dr. Hadassah Kupfer, Audiologist and Hearing Aid Specialist. Sudden-onset tinnitus can be upsetting, especially if you have COVID and are in a high emotional state. If tinnitus is accompanied with hearing loss, consult an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) expert as soon as possible, as steroidal medication may be able to reverse the problem if given within a certain time frame.

If the tinnitus is minor and there is no hearing loss, one might keep track of their symptoms to watch how they progress. As the patient heals from COVID, tinnitus may lessen over the next few days/weeks. Improvement may take up to 6 months for some people. If the tinnitus becomes unbearable at any moment, an audiologist should be sought to get a baseline audiogram and detect any ear clinical changes. At that time, specific advice for tinnitus alleviation will be offered.

Unfortunately, tinnitus that lasts longer than six months is unlikely to go gone entirely, thus an audiologist should be consulted for longer-term advice. Again, in these cases, the person had a little hearing loss/underlying tinnitus tendency all along, which was exacerbated by the infection. So, while the side effect is still 'uncommon,' the people who experience it aren't as random as they look, and they often share underlying risks."

Why Do Some People Get These Symptoms While Others Don't

According to Dr. Siddiqui, "The simple answer is that we have no idea. Several hypotheses have been proposed, including underlying illnesses, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and a history of respiratory difficulties. Another theory is that the virus causes chronic inflammation or leads to the onset of an auto-immune response or illness."

"The reason you don't hear or read about symptoms like COVID toes, pink eye, and ringing in the ears or tinnitus as often is because they tend to be more individualized: not all patients have it – plus they may not be the diagnostic symptom of the condition and yet may be debilitating," explains Dr. Millenia Lytle, ND, MPH, Mymee's Head of Coaching and a naturopathic doctor and nutrition specialist.

COVID's entire symptom picture is really frightening. "Frequent symptoms of other forms of infection, like as thrush, can emerge as a result of frequently used COVID therapies, and may also be owing to an unbalanced microbiome that promotes oral yeast growth."

"It remains unclear why COVID symptoms vary so considerably from person to person," Dr. Bundy says. When it comes to symptoms that are assumed to be connected to the immune system's function after infection (such as autonomic dysfunction), an individual's natural proclivity for autoimmune responses is most likely at play. This proclivity is influenced by genetic, dietary, and lifestyle variables."

How to Stay Safe When You're Out There

Get vaccinated or boost your vaccinations as soon as possible; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear a N95 face mask, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you aren't sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

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